Zephaniah 3:5 (ESV)

The LORD within her is righteous;

he does no injustice;

every morning he shows forth his justice;

each dawn he does not fail;

but the unjust knows no shame.

God’s justice is demonstrated in three ways in this chapter. This is in contrast to the injustice of people, including those called by his name. Despite God’s faithfulness and justice, people have continued in violence, injustice, immorality, pride, and rebellion. Despite the wickedness of people, God’s faithful justice has continued. It is demonstrated first in the fact that every morning the sun rises and life continues. Despite a lack of shame on the part of the wicked, God faithfully sustains life. The sun comes up every morning. The seasons continue. Crops grow and are harvested. Every new day is a gift from a righteous and just God, yet we fail to recognize it.

Yet because God is faithful, He will not indefinitely sustain life. There will come a day when he will faithfully judge sin. Justice in the Old Testament is demonstrated in two ways. First, provision is made for the underprivileged. Thus, the sun continues to rise, and God sustains life. Second, justice is demonstrated in judgement of sin. Thus God says,

Zephaniah 3:8 (ESV)

“Therefore wait for me,” declares the LORD,

“for the day when I rise up to seize the prey.

For my decision is to gather nations,

to assemble kingdoms,

to pour out upon them my indignation,

all my burning anger;

for in the fire of my jealousy

all the earth shall be consumed.

His justice demands judgment against rebellion, pride, and wickedness of every kind. Though the sun comes up every morning, there will come a day when the sun will not rise for some. God will judge for he is faithful to his own nature and character of righteousness, and will therefore carry out his justice.

Thankfully, that is not the end. In justice, God will faithfully restore people to himself. He did not create people in his image just to destroy them because they destroyed his image. He created them to reflect his image. He will therefore restore them to himself.

Zephaniah 3:9 (ESV)

“For at that time I will change the speech of the peoples

to a pure speech,

that all of them may call upon the name of the LORD

and serve him with one accord.

God’s justice is demonstrated in faithful, gracious provision. It is demonstrated in faithful, certain judgment. It is demonstrated in faithful, future restoration. Despite our injustice, God is just. God desires us to be “a people humble and lowly” who “seek refuge in the name of the LORD” (Zeph 3:12). And we can seek refuge in him because he is faithful and just. We should respond in repentance, faith, and faithfulness.